Bad News From Earth
11 September 2001: Bad news from Earth, New Moon Rising
“In Washington, and all along the east coast, it was another one of those classic clear September days [Bill] Readdy had stopped to admire the previous week. While many were still on the commute into work, the attacks began. At NASA Headquarters, as with the rest of Washington DC, no one quite knew what was going on. Soon people were watching news footage of the Twin towers on fire in New York. Then came word of an explosion at the Pentagon and rumors (which later proved to be false) of another one at the State Department. Anyone looking to the west from Washington could clearly see a plume of dark smoke rising from across the Potomac. Meanwhile, rumors of another plane flying up the Potomac toward Washington made the rounds. Other rumors spread of an odd plane seen circling above the Mall. People quickly left their desks and, in the hours ahead, managed to find their way home. Soon the entire agency would either be shut down or shut off from the rest of the world. Shuttles were secured, and gates were locked.”
NASA Remembers September 11th
“Upon further reflection, Culbertson said, “It’s horrible to see smoke pouring from wounds in your own country from such a fantastic vantage point. The dichotomy of being on a spacecraft dedicated to improving life on the earth and watching life being destroyed by such willful, terrible acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are.”
At the time I was jet-setting from my home in southwest Florida to Vancouver BC, where my joint-venture colleagues were located. As it happens I was headed south to Seattle SeaTac for a flight to Miami at the moment the planes hit the tower.
It was three hours earlier, of course. Canadian talk radio discussed the event as it happened. They were more bewildered than anything, even bemused, not believing initial reports. And who would? Early reports were of an errant GA pilot or even a prank.
The day wore on as I continued south, eventually approaching the lovely Peace Arch crossing. It’s a tranquil spot emblematic of the friendship between two great nations. Radio began to report that all air traffic in the US was grounded. Could this be true? Was it even possible?
By the time I reached the border the gates to American were down and closed. Period. And it wouldn’t have made a difference since the airport was closed. Immediately I called my Vancouver hotel, extending my stay, which would be 11 days. I turned around, bewildered, just like the millions of Americans hungry for news reports.
Eleven days spent largely in my hotel room staring at CNN, crying for those heartfelt souls posting pictures of loved ones as they wandered the streets looking for mom, or dad. Most of them would never find that sister or brother. They were dead. It’s awful.
I can’t describe how much I missed being home in my country during those dreadful days. And at the same time I was ashamed for wanting to go home so badly, ashamed every single time I saw those poor distraught souls on TV wandering the streets of New York, helpless, and for the most part facing bitter disappointment. Ashamed for feeling lucky, ashamed that my own family was safe. The heart of every American ached for those people, the victims and the survivors. Indeed this treachery united all of us in a way that has endured, but that day was a day with no silver lining.
I spent as much time as I could in the forests wrapping Vancouver, ever grateful that my wife was safe in Naples. It was the only way that I could get some semblance of normality.
Eventually the borders opened and I took a chance that I could get a flight that Suzie booked after hours on the phone. But how do those hours and my own travails matter? They don’t.
Days later I was home, flying hopscotch across the country through countless airlines and finally from Charlotte to Ft Myers.
The Peace Arch had changed. I was greeted by US soldiers, armed with automatic weapons and in full kit. Our great country changed on that day.
SeaTac airport was jammed with people, all like me trying to get on an airplane, any airplane. People were splendid! Queues were stunningly long, yet every single person was respectful, patient, helpful. I felt so proud to be an American.